Comments on: Ford Hybrid Pickup Gets Put to the Test by PG&E

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:18:00 +0000

Sell it with a solar canopy. PG & E is an electric monopoly middleman, who consumers do not need. Consumer owned solar rooftops and parking canopies will help keep monopolies out of the picture. Let them control thier current dumb grid and leave the solar charged swappable batteries to the consumer.
When will we finally get to see deep voiced MACHO truck superbowl commercial that highlights a solar charged electric vehicle?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 23:29:00 +0000

BTW, I believe Ford has announced that they are in the process of bringing PHEV pickups to market. Not only the smaller F-150 but all the way up to their big boy, the F-550.

Lots of trucks don’t get driven a lot every day. Lots can be plugged in at the work site while parked.

There’s no practical way to get mileage up high in a heavy pickup like one can do with a 50MPG hybrid Prius. If most of the driving can be done with cheap electricity then PHEV trucks are going to be big hits.

We just need economy of scale production to bring battery prices down.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 23:22:00 +0000

Electric motors have great torque, exactly what one needs to get a trailer or heavy load moving. If getting a big trailer moving uses more battery power then the ICE will kick on sooner.

Realistically, most pickups are not loaded most of the time. Next time you’re out on the road keep count of the number of trucks pulling trailers vs. the ones not. Driving a pickup is about having the ability to carry a big load or pull something. It’s not what most people do most of the time.

“Delicate electronics” are already present in all modern cars and trucks. Consider the computers. The batteries and motors will not be submerged in mud. Remember, we use electric motors on boats. It’s about proper design.

30 miles on electricity. About a buck on $0.10/kWh electricity.

30 miles on a 25MPG ICE. About five bucks on $4/gallon fuel.

People who operate even a one-person business can understand how this sort of money passes down to the bottom line. Lots of trucks will seldom need to buy fuel or pay for oil changes. Brake maintenance will be a lot less.